Kuykendall made her first public appearance Monday at Greenville Memorial Hospital, where she has been treated since May.

She has under gone 18 surgeries in 21 days. Since June, she has been in an aggressive three-hour a day rehabilitation program, working to get her strength back so she can go home to her twins, Ian and Abigail.

"There have been many miracles, and I don't even know all of them, but, it is a miracle that I thank God for that I'm alive, and that he is helping me to heal so quickly, and that I'm able to do so much, or will be able to do so much," Lana Kuykendall told News 4's Mandy Gaither. "There are days I can focus on rehab. That's what I have to do. I need to get home. In order to get home I need accomplish these goals, and there are moments that I just cry because I'm not there I don't see (the twins). I can't do what I want."

Kuykendall gave birth to her twins on May 7 at an Atlanta hospital, but felt severe pain in her leg after she and her husband, Darren, brought their newborns home to Piedmont.

Darren Kuykendall said he took his wife to Greenville Memorial within 15 minutes of noticing a spot on her leg that was spreading.

"At first it was probably the most horrific thing I have witnessed in my entire life because I was very terrified that she was not going to be with me," said Darren Kuykendall.

Darren Kuykendall said the twins are both healthy, and have been cared for by relatives, and friends.

"They're growing. They're getting bigger each day, it seems like. They have no trouble eating," said Darren Kuykendall, with a laugh.

Doctors diagnosed Lana Kuykendall with a flesh-eating bacteria called necrotizing fasciitis, which is described by a medical website as a rapidly progressive inflammatory infection of the fascia, with secondary necrosis of the subcutaneous tissues.

Doctors say that Lana Kuykendall would not have made it if she had not gotten to the emergency room and had medical care begun so quickly.

She said Monday that she's sad she missed so much of the first two months of her babies' lives, but she is just very grateful to be alive.

"There have been many miracles and I don't even know all of them. But it is a miracle that I thank God for -- that I'm alive and that He is helping me to heal so quickly and that I'm able to do so much or will be able to do so much," she said.

WYFF News 4 was the only station permitted to record video on Friday of Kuykendall in a rehab session, learning to walk again.

Dr. Kevin Kopera, medical director for Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital said Lana Kuykendall chose an aggressive approach to rehab, so that she could get home as soon as she could.

"It took a lot of assistance, and bracing her legs just to get her to stand," said Kopera, during the news conference. "It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears -- literally -- blood, sweat, and tears, and now I'm happy to report that she's walking 250 feet plus by herself."

Kopera said Lana Kuykendall is now strong enough to go home, and care for her children.

A fund has been set up to help the family with medical expenses, and lost wages, since Lana can't work. Anyone who would like to help can contact the GHS Federal Credit Union at 211 Patewood Dr., Greenville, S.C. 29615, or call 864-455-7112.

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